Snow removal apparatus and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A snow removal system for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface, the vehicle moveable along the surface in a travel direction and having an underside, the snow removal system comprising:
- at least two frames coupled to the vehicle; and
at least one conveyor coupled to each frame, each conveyor positioned to move snow from the surface at an angle with respect to the travel direction; and
a prime mover rotatably coupled to each conveyor to drive the conveyor;
wherein the conveyors are rotatable to convey snow from beneath the vehicle, at least one of the conveyors oriented to direct snow laterally toward another of the conveyors; and
wherein at least one of the conveyors is located laterally and ahead of another of the conveyors with respect to the travel direction.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for removing snow, including a conveyor mounted at an angle with respect to a travel direction of the apparatus. The conveyor is rotatably mounted to a frame and can be driven to throw snow laterally with respect to a travel direction of the vehicle to which the apparatus is mounted.
54 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A snow removal system for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface, the vehicle moveable along the surface in a travel direction and having an underside, the snow removal system comprising:
-
at least two frames coupled to the vehicle; and
at least one conveyor coupled to each frame, each conveyor positioned to move snow from the surface at an angle with respect to the travel direction; and
a prime mover rotatably coupled to each conveyor to drive the conveyor;
wherein the conveyors are rotatable to convey snow from beneath the vehicle, at least one of the conveyors oriented to direct snow laterally toward another of the conveyors; and
wherein at least one of the conveyors is located laterally and ahead of another of the conveyors with respect to the travel direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A snow removal apparatus for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface as the vehicle moves along the surface in a travel direction, to snow removal apparatus comprising:
-
a frame moveable along the surface;
a first axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a second axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a support plate positioned between the two axles;
a first conveyor belt extending at least partially about the first and second axles and rotatable about the axles to convey snow from beneath the vehicle in a direction disposed at an angle with respect to the travel direction of the vehicle, the first conveyor belt moveable between the support plate and the surface, the support plate positioned adjacent to the first conveyor belt to retain at least part of the first conveyor belt adjacent the surface beneath the vehicle;
a second conveyor belt rotatable to convey snow from beneath the vehicle, at leant one of the first and second conveyor belts oriented to direct snow laterally toward another of the first and second conveyors belts; and
a blower coupled to the vehicle, wherein the blower is directed at the surface to direct fluid onto the surface, the blower and snow removal apparatus operable to cooperatively remove snow from the surface in movement of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A snow removal apparatus for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface as the vehicle moves along the surface in a travel direction, the snow removal apparatus comprising:
-
a frame moveable along the surface;
a first axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a second axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a support plate positioned between the two axles;
a first conveyor belt extending at least partially about the first and second axles and rotatable about the axles to convey snow from beneath the vehicle in a direction disposed at an angle with respect to the travel direction of the vehicle, the first conveyor belt moveable between the support plate and the surface, the support plate positioned adjacent to the first conveyor belt to retain at least part of the first conveyor belt adjacent the surface beneath the vehicle; and
a second conveyor belt, wherein the first and second conveyor belts arc coupled to respective frames, at least one of the first and second conveyor belts being located laterally and ahead of another of the first and second conveyor belts with respect to the travel direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A snow removal apparatus for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface as the vehicle moves along the surface in a travel direction, the snow removal apparatus comprising:
-
a frame moveable along the surface;
a first axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a second axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a support plate positioned between the two axles;
a first conveyor belt extending at least partially about the first and second axles and rotatable about the axles to convey snow from beneath the vehicle in a direction disposed at an angle with respect to the travel direction of the vehicle, the first conveyor belt moveable between the support plate and the surface, the support plate positioned adjacent to the first conveyor belt to retain at least part of the first conveyor belt adjacent the surface beneath the vehicle; and
a second conveyor belt rotatable to convey snow from beneath the vehicle, at lent one of the first and second conveyor bolts oriented to direct snow laterally toward another of the first and second conveyors belts;
wherein the first conveyor belt is located between a front axle and rear axle of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A snow removal apparatus for use with a vehicle to remove snow from a surface as the vehicle moves along the surface in a travel direction, the vehicle having an underside, the snow removal apparatus comprising:
-
a frame moveable along the surface;
a first ale rotatably coupled to the frame;
a second axle rotatably coupled to the frame;
a support plate positioned between the two axles;
a first conveyor belt extending at least partially about the first and second axles and rotatable about the axles to convey snow from beneath the vehicle in a direction disposed at an angle with respect to the travel direction of the vehicle, the first conveyor belt moveable between the support plate and the surface, the support plate positioned adjacent to the first conveyor belt to retain at least part of the first conveyor belt adjacent the surface beneath the vehicle; and
a second conveyor belt rotatable to convoy snow from beneath the vehicle, at lent one of the first and second conveyor belts oriented to direct snow laterally toward another of the first and second conveyors belts;
wherein the first and second conveyor belts are coupled to respective frames, at least one of the first and second conveyor belts being located laterally and ahead of another of the first and second conveyor belts with respect to the travel direction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification